West Los Angeles Handbook 2023 - 46

* Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause many
different birth defects and developmental disabilities.
These are known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
(FASDs) and include fetal alcohol syndrome.
* FASDs can adversely affect how a person looks,
grows, thinks, and acts. FASDs can also cause birth
defects of the heart, brain, and other major organs.
* About one in twelve pregnant people in the United
States reports alcohol use. And about one in thirty
pregnant people in the United States reports binge
drinking (having five or more drinks at one time).
* Alcohol can harm a baby at any time during
pregnancy. It can cause problems in the early weeks
of pregnancy, before a person even knows they are
pregnant.
* The good news is that FASDs are 100 percent
preventable if a person does not drink alcohol while
they are pregnant.
* Health professionals should ask all of their patients
of childbearing age about alcohol use. They should
tell people about the risks of using alcohol during
pregnancy and advise them not to drink alcohol
during pregnancy.
The U.S. Surgeon General wants people to know they
should not drink alcohol during pregnancy.
* A pregnant person should not drink alcohol.
* A pregnant person who has already used alcohol
during their pregnancy should stop right away.
* A person who is thinking about getting pregnant
should stop using alcohol.
* Nearly half of all births in the United States are
unplanned. Therefore, any person who could become
pregnant should talk to their doctor and take steps to
lower the chance of exposing their baby to alcohol.
Promoting the health of babies, children, and adults and enhancing the potential for
full, productive living. CDC.gov/NCBDDD Department of Health and Human Services
09152005.
What Is fetal alcohol syndrome?
Fetal alcohol syndrome is a group of problems in
children born to people who drank alcohol during
the pregnancy. These babies are usually small and
underweight. They often have birth defects and, as they
grow older, they may have behavior problems. The most
serious problem is intellectual disability.
How common is fetal alcohol
syndrome?
In the United States, about 1,200 children are born each
year with fetal alcohol syndrome. It is the leading cause
of intellectual disability in this country.
How much alcohol can I drink and
not hurt my baby?
Even small amounts of alcohol can be harmful. Because
no amount of alcohol can be considered safe, it is
recommended that pregnant people avoid all alcohol
during the entire pregnancy. Drinks with alcohol in
them include beer, wine, hard liquor, and wine coolers.
Can my baby get fetal alcohol
syndrome even if I don't drink
alcohol every day?
Yes. In fact, most people don't drink alcohol every day.
Instead, they drink only on special occasions, such as
weekends, holidays, or parties. When they do drink,
some people have five or more drinks at a time. This is
called " binge drinking. " This pattern of drinking is very
dangerous for your baby, because it quickly makes the
level of alcohol in your blood very high. So, even if you
don't drink every day, you may put your baby at risk for
fetal alcohol syndrome.
I know drinking is bad for my baby,
but I can't stop. What should I do?
The best thing you can do is quit drinking when you
are still thinking about getting pregnant. If you are
pregnant, quit drinking alcohol and try other beverages,
such as water or fruit juices. It is a good idea to stop
smoking too. Be honest with your doctor. Tell them how
much you are smoking and drinking. Your doctor may
be able to help you stop smoking and drinking before it
hurts your baby.
Is there a cure for fetal alcohol
syndrome?
No, there is no cure. Children with fetal alcohol
syndrome can be helped, though. The treatment
involves giving them good medical and dental care
and eyeglasses and hearing aids if these are needed
45
http://CDC.gov/NCBDDD
West Los Angeles Handbook 2023

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